Retrofit: How low to go? The jury says

Passivhaus as the optimal solution

 Helen Brown, Encraft

Passivhaus offers a whole house approach, that  reduces carbon emissions, improves energy efficiency and addresses occupant comfort and well-being.

It provides a benchmark, raising industry standards.   

It offers deep carbon emissions reductions that are realistic and achievable now... We don't have time for small steps & wrong legacies!

Practical examples & the art of the possible

Bob Prewett, Prewett Bizley Architects

Passivhaus is a no brainer for new build projects

But it is not always the right retrofit solution for historic building, especially when external improvements are restricted.

Assessment of existing buildings is imperative and one size or standard is not a best fit for all.

Modelling of low energy options

Andy Simmonds, AECB

Must assess realistic costs of retrofit which take into account payback periods and the carbon emissions reduction.

Passivhaus is a great goal, but we must  compare to costs of other ways of decarbonising the remaining energy demand.

50-70% carbon emission reductions, over a period of 25-30 years, is a more feasible target than Passivhaus for most UK housing stock.

An incremental low-energy approach

Russell Smith, Parity Projects

Passivhaus offers a measured system and performance which gives it the upper hand, but we need to be able to improve millions of homes, and need to be able to do it in a step-by-step approach.

A series of U-values is not a way to build a building – you need a whole-house plan. Translate tangible building knowledge into home owner benefits.

What is the offer? We must start selling the comfort & health benefits.